Methods for joining extended lengths of conduit

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for joining extended lengths of conduit. The apparatus and method provide a means for decreasing the time required to assemble extended lengths of conduit. The apparatus for use with the corresponding method comprises an apparatus head, an extender joining body and a conduit interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of joining extended lengths of conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing two or more lengths of conduit in series along a length of tract to which conduit is to be laid; 
 placing conduit couplings between each of said lengths of conduit; 
 attaching said conduit couplings by a screwing motion to the ends of each of said lengths of conduit to begin threading said conduit coupling to said lengths of conduit; 
 stabilizing a terminal end of said lengths of conduit to prevent rotation; 
 connecting an apparatus for joining lengths of conduit to a near end of said lengths of conduit, wherein said apparatus comprises: 
 a cylindrical apparatus head with a torque application interface arranged around the circumference of said cylindrical apparatus head comprising indentions between two shoulders; 
 an extender joining body; 
 an abutting plate; and, 
 a cylindrical conduit interface comprising a threaded interior surface; and, 
 applying torque to said torque application interface, wherein said apparatus screws said lengths of conduit to each of said conduit couplings joining said lengths of conduit. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said lengths of conduit have a diameter selected from the group consisting of ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 1½ inch, 2 inch, 2½ inch, 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, 16 mm, 21 mm, 27 mm, 35 mm, 41 mm, 53 mm, 63 mm, 78 mm, 91 mm, 103 mm, 129 mm, or 155 mm. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said conduit couplings are sized to fit said lengths of conduit having a diameter selected from the group consisting of ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 1½ inch, 2 inch, 2½ inch, 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, 16 mm, 21 mm, 27 mm, 35 mm, 41 mm, 53 mm, 63 mm, 78 mm, 91 mm, 103 mm, 129 mm, or 155 mm. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said terminal end is stabilized through a connection to a junction box, pipe wrench, or a tightening device to stop rotation. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of placing two or more lengths of conduit in series along a length of tract to which conduit is to be laid is in a horizontal position. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting step comprises threading said cylindrical conduit interface to said near end of said lengths of conduit. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extender joining body is permanently fixed to said abutting plate. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extender joining body is detachable from said abutting plate. 
     
     
       9. A method of joining extended lengths of conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
 connecting an apparatus for joining lengths of conduit to a near end of a length of conduit, wherein said apparatus comprises: 
 a cylindrical apparatus head with a torque application interface arranged around the circumference of said cylindrical apparatus head comprising indentions between two shoulders; 
 
       an extender joining body;
 an abutting plate; and, 
 a cylindrical conduit interface comprising a threaded interior surface placing two or more lengths of conduit in series to said near end of a length of conduit along a length of tract to which conduit is to be laid; 
 placing conduit couplings between each of said lengths of conduit; 
 attaching said conduit couplings by a screwing motion to the ends of each of said lengths of conduit to begin threading said conduit coupling to said lengths of conduit; 
 stabilizing a terminal end of said lengths of conduit to prevent rotation; and, 
 applying torque to said torque application interface, wherein said apparatus screws said lengths of conduit to each of said conduit couplings joining said lengths of conduit. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lengths of conduit have a diameter selected from the group consisting of ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 1½ inch, 2 inch, 2½ inch, 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, 16 mm, 21 mm, 27 mm, 35 mm, 41 mm, 53 mm, 63 mm, 78 mm, 91 mm, 103 mm, 129 mm, or 155 mm. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said conduit couplings are sized to fit said lengths of conduit having a diameter selected from the group consisting of ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 1½ inch, 2 inch, 2½ inch, 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, 16 mm, 21 mm, 27 mm, 35 mm, 41 mm, 53 mm, 63 mm, 78 mm, 91 mm, 103 mm, 129 mm, or 155 mm diameters. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said terminal end is stabilized through a connection to a junction box, pipe wrench, or a tightening device to stop rotation. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said step of placing two or more lengths of conduit in series along a length of tract to which conduit is to be laid is in a horizontal position. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said connecting step comprises threading said cylindrical conduit interface to said near end of said lengths of conduit. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said extender joining body is permanently fixed to said abutting plate. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said extender joining body is detachable from said abutting plate. 
     
     
       17. A method of joining extended lengths of threaded conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing two or more lengths of threaded conduit in series along a length of tract to which conduit is to be laid; 
 between each of said lengths of conduit placing conduit couplings; 
 attaching said conduit couplings by a screwing motion to the ends of each of said lengths of conduit to begin threading said conduit coupling to said lengths of conduit; 
 stabilizing a terminal end of said lengths of conduit to prevent rotation; 
 connecting an apparatus for joining lengths of conduit to a near end of said lengths of conduit, wherein said apparatus comprises: 
 a cylindrical apparatus head with a torque application interface arranged around the circumference of said cylindrical apparatus head comprising indentions between two shoulders; 
 
       an extender joining body comprising open venting regions around the circumference of said extender joining body;
 an abutting plate, wherein said abutting plate is permanently fixed to the conduit interface; and, 
 a cylindrical conduit interface comprising a threaded interior surface for interfacing with conduit having a diameter selected from the group consisting of ½ inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1¼ inch, 1½ inch, 2 inch, 2½ inch, 3 inch, 3½ inch, 4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch, 16 mm, 21 mm, 27 mm, 35 mm, 41 mm, 53 mm, 63 mm, 78 mm, 91 mm, 103 mm, 129 mm, or 155 mm conduit; and, 
 applying torque to said torque application interface, wherein said apparatus screws said lengths of conduit to each of said conduit couplings joining said lengths of conduit. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said extender joining body is permanently fixed to said abutting plate. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said extender joining body is detachable from said abutting plate. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said extender joining body possesses threaded screw holes at a location that interfaces with said abutting plate; and, 
       wherein said abutting plate possesses threaded screw holes at a location that interfaces with said extender joining body.